A New Year's Note From Molly |
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I love the New Year and a good resolution; the sense of anticipation, the fresh diary, the collective belief that there's an opportunity to start anew. I love new stationery, and I love the back-to-school feeling.
My favourite part of a plan is the beginning, the goal setting. However, as I see and hear the endless lists of resolutions, the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’, I wonder if these self-improvements are more of a hindrance than help to our busy, busy generation.
This year, we dare you to set just one. And we double dare you to make it “to take your leisure seriously”.
There is hard proof in the scientific research that playing makes us happier, yet I imagine I am not alone when I confess that finding time for a hobby feels almost impossible. How do you actually take the first step?
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Well, last year, I made this same resolution. To find a hobby and then to practise it. To play. Here is what helped me stick to it.
1. Set a time, place and a reward and repeat it. By removing any decision-making, you take away any of the anxiousness of choice.
2. Remove something else in your life. Trying to squeeze it in just doesn’t work.
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For me, it’s 5AM: it's drawing, writing, or colouring at my bedroom desk, with a great big milky coffee. I gave up being ‘on top of the washing’ to do so. I go to bed early and let the kids wear odd socks if necessary. Starting the day with colouring sets my mood for the day. It ignites my creativity and sets my imagination into gear. It makes me more confident to try new things in my work, and calmer in my negotiations with a two and three-year-old. More than anything, it is a pleasure for me to do so.
So with great care, I gently encourage you to write a list of things you enjoy doing. Reading, PlayStation, Shooting Hoops, Backgammon, Magic tricks, baking, ice-skating, dancing, the guitar. Find something you love to play, and drop something ‘productive’ to be in the game. Just see what happens…
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